Chieftec Upgrades Popular Gaming Cases with Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2x2

[btarunr]

Chieftec is excited to announce the launch of the new upgraded versions of our popular Scorpion 3, Scorpion 4, Stallion 2, and Stallion 3 cases with the introduction of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps) port. The new models, GL-03B-UC-OP, GL-04B-UC-OP, and GP-02B-UC-OP, will be available in June, then GP-03B-UC-OP following in July, and there will be a transition period with old and new versions available on the market.

The new upgraded versions are designed to provide enhanced functionality and faster data transfer (20 Gbps) speeds. Customers who want to buy the new upgraded versions should look for the model numbers with "UC" in the model number or check the box for the Type-C Logo, which we have included in the packaging.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Chaitanya]

Finally cases that advertise 20Gbps Type-C port on front panel(some AM5 boards already offer 20Gbps internal headers).

 

[Asni]

I don't even know what that means. Both 10 and 20 Gbps usb headers feature the same form factor, it only depends on the controller of the motherboard.

 

[phanbuey]

Is it just the connector cable?

 

[LabRat 891]

Cool.
Makes sense to me; I assume Chieftec markets largely towards "Workstation Builds" and "Content Creators". Having 20gbps USB up front would be very handy for moving 'footage', etc. around.

 

[mechtech]

the stallion looks more like a BeefCake

 

[DrCR]

Hearing news about Cheiftec is like hearing news about a kid you once knew in school long ago. Glad their OK but otherwise no real attachment at this point.

It does irrationally warm my heart though to know out there, somewhere, a Cheiftec case is being made for this era’s teens, even if it’s not glorious beige goodness.

 

[Aleksandar_038]

Well, Chieftec is actually doing quite OK.
They are gem on today market: one of the last producers that make "normal" cases intended for "average" and "normal" adult: one that does not want to invest triple-digit EUR just to get normal case, and one that does not want too much bling-bling and glass around (although even Chieftec succumb to that trend with these models, but at least they look decent enough, not like 5-year old designed them).

 

[Tek-Check]

Why not use new simplified naming scheme that USB IF rolled out, such as USB20Gbps, in the title of future articles?

I don't even know what that means

It means what it says in the article, namely that front USB-C port on PC cases supports 20 Gbps.

 

[Nater]

I don't even know what that means. Both 10 and 20 Gbps usb headers feature the same form factor, it only depends on the controller of the motherboard.

If the cable doesn't support it you won't get 20Gbps, or even 10Gbps. My board sports it, my case cable does not. I'm capped at 5Gbps. Going to check again (haven't in a few months) if Fractal is offering a newer cable to retrofit my Define R6. They've got until about August, or I'm dumping it on my kid for his birthday and getting myself a new case. And it won't be Fractal.

 

[Aleksandar_038]

If the cable doesn't support it you won't get 20Gbps, or even 10Gbps. My board sports it, my case cable does not. I'm capped at 5Gbps. Going to check again (haven't in a few months) if Fractal is offering a newer cable to retrofit my Define R6. They've got until about August, or I'm dumping it on my kid for his birthday and getting myself a new case. And it won't be Fractal.

Yes, thanks to USB-IF idiocy, now we do not only have to take care about port, but about cables, too. And it is getting very complicated.

Cases that have real USB 20Gbps support are very rare... Even some very expensive cases are 10Gbps at best.

I mean, is it really easier to add 8 damn RGB fans than proper cable? It seems it is.

 

[Tek-Check]

Yes, thanks to USB-IF idiocy, now we do not only have to take care about port, but about cables, too.

Case vendors are responsible to provide appropriate cables to front I/O.
Consumers are responsbible to buy USB-IF certified cable. It's enough to follow official labelling.

 

[bonehead123]

'bout friggin time, shoulda happened (with ALL cases) like 4 years ago

 

[Wye]

Someone should really fire everyone at the USB consortium, decades of idiocy in naming.

 

[ymdhis]

Man, the last few USB standards have been such a clusterfuck. Even USB4 has like five versions.

They could've made USB-C have the 20gbps speed and 60W charging being mandatory, but instead everything is completely optional. So now we have crap like braided usb-c cables wired for USB2.
That's not even mentioning that they still refused to add an interrupt pin, despite two new cables being introduced since USB2.

 

[Aleksandar_038]

Case vendors are responsible to provide appropriate cables to front I/O.
Consumers are responsbible to buy USB-IF certified cable. It's enough to follow official labelling.
View attachment 295764

And that is exactly my point, thanks!

I know that versatility of USB standard is its most powerful trump card, but this could have been avoided with just a little bit of common sense.

For example, USB A and USB C are clear enough.

Now just scale all those speeds through simple ranks:

USB-4 = 10 Gbps
USB-5 = 20 Gbps
USB-6 = 40 Gbps

There is zero issue in existence USB 2 and USB 6 on the market together. And it is rather easy to see USB 6 front ports on the case, and USB 6 compatible cable.

USB xyz40GbpsA is quite bit harder.

And make that power requirement mandatory, end of discussion.

Current situation is just asking for troubles

 

[Nater]

And then trying to explain to grandma or your 9 year old daughter, NO, that cable will NOT fast-charge your tablet. You need this one. I've resorted to buying cables in different colors if it's "newer" than the previous in the household. Pink cable goes to the rose gold Samsung tablet. White cables to the Oculus. Braided are general purpose fast charge/TB3. If it's plain black, assume it's basic.

 

[Tek-Check]

USB xyz40GbpsA is quite bit harder.

It is, and they received a lot of criticism, but USB4 does simplify and unify many disparate features into one framework.

And make that power requirement mandatory, end of discussion.

USB4 does mandate power provision. There are different requirements for source and sink devices.

Current situation is just asking for troubles

Yes and no. Certainly consumers will need to be more tech savvy and knowledgeable when buying stuff.

 

[eidairaman1]

All the cases are looking the same today. Very boring rainbow vomit comets

 

[PLAfiller]

Yes and no. Certainly consumers will need to be more tech savvy and knowledgeable when buying stuff.

I kinda lean to @Aleksandar_038 on this one. I am tech savvy and sometimes I am tired of reading half a master thesis before buying a new cable on Aliexpress. IMO if you have to dig in a manual, check out three forums, get a drawing just to figure out whether something fairly trivial will work or not....ain't a good sign.

 

[Tek-Check]

I kinda lean to @Aleksandar_038 on this one. I am tech savvy and sometimes I am tired of reading half a master thesis before buying a new cable on Aliexpress. IMO if you have to dig in a manual, check out three forums, get a drawing just to figure out whether something fairly trivial will work or not....ain't a good sign.

You only need to do the "digging" if cables are not labelled as "USB-IF" certified. Certified cables are quite easy to find on Amazon and elsewhere. All you need to check is data speed you need and power rating for your needs (60W, 100W (PD 3.0) or 240 (PD 3.1)). It should be pretty simple nowadays with certified cables.

 

[Nater]

You only need to do the "digging" if cables are not labelled as "USB-IF" certified. Certified cables are quite easy to find on Amazon and elsewhere. All you need to check is data speed you need and power rating for your needs (60W, 100W (PD 3.0) or 240 (PD 3.1)). It should be pretty simple nowadays with certified cables.

Does Amazon actually police that though? Those 3d party sellers can label it whatever they want on the box/cable, and you may never now unless you use a higher-end device with it. By that time they're long gone w/ your money.

They need to just get rid of 7 rows and 3 columns of your chart and only certify/make that cable. Universal isn't so universal anymore.

 

[Tek-Check]

Does Amazon actually police that though?

Ask customer service. You can always return a cable and get money back if it does not work as specified. I have had Amazon Prime account for almost 15 years. Never had a problem and always got money back on rare ocassions I returned a product.
You can also check the certification in USB-IF database.

No reason to be cynical here. You clearly seem not to understand the flexibility for creating usb-c cables depending on needs. If you need a charging cable only for phone or other device, there is no need to buy a cable with data protocols. If you do not need premium 40 Gbps cable, why would you ever buy it for usb-c ports with 10 Gbps speed? If PC case vendor wants to wire front I/O with usb-c 10 Gbps, why would they need to buy 40 Gbps cable that is more expensive and no motherboard header supports this speed anyway?

It's about being flexible and reasonable. Sure, there are rogue sellers, but there are rogue people in every walk of life, right?

 

[Nater]

Ask customer service. You can always return a cable and get money back if it does not work as specified. I have had Amazon Prime account for almost 15 years. Never had a problem and always got money back on rare ocassions I returned a product.
You can also check the certification in USB-IF database.

No reason to be cynical here. You clearly seem not to understand the flexibility for creating usb-c cables depending on needs. If you need a charging cable only for phone or other device, there is no need to buy a cable with data protocols. If you do not need premium 40 Gbps cable, why would you ever buy it for usb-c ports with 10 Gbps speed? If PC case vendor wants to wire front I/O with usb-c 10 Gbps, why would they need to buy 40 Gbps cable that is more expensive and no motherboard header supports this speed anyway?

It's about being flexible and reasonable. Sure, there are rogue sellers, but there are rogue people in every walk of life, right?

yeah like my kids who don't care that it's dads 40Gbps 100W cable and will take it when they lose theirs and then give it away on the school bus because "no big deal, it's just a USB cable"

I didn't know there was even such a thing as the USB-IF database. I think that's the point many of us are making - this shit is out of control for the average user. USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.2 Gen2x2, etc etc etc. It's only worse now. The powers that be tried to clean it up on the WiFi side as well, but it was a whole 24 hours and they added an "E" to Wifi6 to confuse everyone again.

 

[Tek-Check]

I think that's the point many of us are making - this shit is out of control for the average user. USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.2 Gen2x2, etc etc etc. It's only worse now. The powers that be tried to clean it up on the WiFi side as well, but it was a whole 24 hours and they added an "E" to Wifi6 to confuse everyone again.

It is actually getting better now with USB4 where things come together.
WiFi6E is just another advancement. If you don't like 'E' letter, wait for WiFi 7 ;-)